Serendipity : Musings of an Islander

Aasche bochor Aabar hobe The A ndaman and N icobar I slands are often referred to as ‘ M ini I ndia’ owing to its multitude of culture, language and religious belief perfectly blending into an entity which complement and strengthen the social fabric of the islands. The harmony eventually draws islanders closer to the point of rejoicing each other’s festivals and festivities. Durga P uja is one such special occasion wherein a large stratum of the society engages itself in the celebration that marks defeat of M ahisashura (evil) at the hands of G oddess D urga. A view of Durga Puja mandap at Bambooflat Jetty in South Andaman in the Year 2008 According to H indu mythology ‘ M ahisashura’ through extreme austerity and prolonged meditations earned the favour of ‘ L ord B rahma’ in the form of a boon that no ‘ M an or D eity’ would be able to kill him. Endowed with the divine blessing, M ahisashura (in the form of a giant buffalo) unleashed a reign of terror over E arth and ...

Adding to the stress quotient of numerous families, count of B ars and L iquor outlets across A&N I slands  are on a rise . Ironically the G ovt promoted A ndaman and N icobar I slands I ntegrated D evelopment C orporation ( ANIIDCO ) playing harbinger is leaving no stone un-turned to further boost the already rocketing liquor sale in these I slands. Conversion of its lone G reen S hop at D elanipur to a liquor outlet is a glaring example of how the C orporation's priorities have changed over a period of time. Unfortunately it did not stop with creating that eyesore. According to a  report carried in a leading daily, ANIIDCO has invited E xpression of I nterest for development of 1 hectare land at M ohanpura into a commercial zone comprising S hopping C omplex, T wo-screen M iniplex, H otels, R estaurants, B ar, B anquet H alls, C onference R ooms, G aming zones etc. While there is no disagreement that islands need such avenues, but certainly tha...

What it takes to bell the cat As usual I was on my way to office when the scooter I was driving suddenly slipped out of my control on the turning near RUAC H all at B ambooflat. Before I could react, I found myself sandwiched between the road and the two wheeler. Eventually my left leg got caught under the scooter and received bleeding wound on the knee. My wife, riding pillion luckily did not come into direct contact with the rough road, since she found my right leg and the vehicle in between. Those nearby rushed to our rescue. With assistance, I stood on my limbs and saw there was oil spill (probably D iesel) on the road which had a steep slope and a sharp bend as well. The watch which was my companion for the last more than two and a half decade had its glass shattered, but ticking. Scratch marks and dents were added on the right hand side of the scooter. Both of my limbs especially the knee region was aching. Only solace was that the pillion, mother of two ki...